Liam Boyd, Michigan State PK: the 2026 season story
Liam Boyd is a senior kicker for Michigan State (Big Ten). He ranks 10th of 261 kickers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every kicker on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked kicker, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Liam Boyd's strongest measure is made from 40+ at 8, 3rd of 143 (the average is 4). Even his lowest-ranked one is good: field goals over expected at +0.18, 14th of 143 (the average is +0.03).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His made from 40+, 8, ranks 3rd among 143 ranked kickers.
Against every kicker
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked kickers he sits, on average, in the 96th percentile for volume and 91st for efficiency.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 8 games, Liam Boyd's best came in week 1 against Toledo and his quietest in week 7 against Northwestern.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every kicker on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Liam Boyd is 6th of 143 FBS kickers and 2nd of 18 in the Big Ten. Next up nationally is David Olano of Texas A&M, 0.02 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. A player's track record is the best guide to whether a season like this one is likely to last. This is his best season by the Player Index so far, out of 2 we have.
Kickers like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Caden Buhr of Iowa.
